How to Make Vertical Lines in Microsoft Word

If you take the idea of getting your documents in line literally, use Microsoft Word's line-drawing tools to add vertical lines to the text page. Making vertical lines may seem like something more suited to a graphics program, but there's no need to leave Word whatsoever. Word's strong collection of shape and drawing tools let you, literally and figuratively, draw the line.

Step

Open Microsoft Word. Click the "Insert" tab at the top of the work area. Click the "Shapes" button in the middle of the toolbar below the tab.

Step

Click one of the line options, such as a plain line or a line with an arrow head, in the fly-out menu. The cursor changes to a plus sign.

Step

Hover the cursor over the point at which you want the vertical line to start. Press and hold down the "Shift" key, which allows you to draw absolutely straight lines.

Step

Press and hold down the mouse button. Drag the cursor in a downward motion until the line is complete. Release both the mouse button and the "Shift" key.